AAU: The Voice of Higher Education in Africa ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES ASSOCIATION DES UNIVERSITÉS AFRICAINES REPortinG PERIOD ANNUAL JUNE 2016 - REPORT JULY 2017 ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES ASSOCIATION DES UNIVERSITÉS AFRICAINES REPortinG PERIOD ANNUAL JUNE 2016 - REPORT JULY 2017 AAU: The Voice of Higher Education in Africa Table of Content 05 About the AAU 21 AAU’s Capacity Building Programmes 06 Intervention Areas 22 Measuring the Impact of AAU’s Work Highlights of 2016/2017 Events 26 Memoranda of Understanding Signed 07 With Various Partners 18 Key Meetings with Strategic Partners 27 Events Attended by Secretariat Staff 08 AAU celebrates 2016 African Universities Day using Innovative Ways 14 15 Aau Elects New HAQAA Initiative Consortium President Partners Meeting ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES REPORTING PERIOD 02 ASSOCIATION DES UNIVERSITÉS AFRICAINES ANNUAL REPORT JULY 2016 - JUNE 2017 AAU: The Voice of Higher Education in Africa 29 Update on AAU Membership 30 Financial Overview 31 Improvement of AAU Software Systems 09 12 Official Opening of the New 14th General Conference AAU Secretariat Building and 50 years Anniversary of the AAU 20 Regional Internet Development Dialogue, REPORTING PERIOD ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES ANNUAL ASSOCIATION DES UNIVERSITÉS AFRICAINES 03 JULY 2016 - JUNE 2017 REPORT Secretary General’s Message This report covers the period July 2016 to June 2017. This the individual projects. Information is also provided on other was a very busy period for the AAU Secretariat in its bid to non-programme activities that contributed towards achieving implement its work plan meticulously amidst organising the AAU’s goal of promoting higher education in Africa. The two key events on the AAU’s calendar . These two statutory Report further presents an update on our membership; AAU’s events - the 2016 African Universities Day celebrations collaboration in international events; our capacity building and the 14th General Conference of the AAU were both efforts and key meetings with some strategic partners, successfully held during the reporting period. among others. The AAU also marked its Golden Jubilee at the 14th The financial performance of the AAU is presented in this General Conference hosted under the theme- AAU @50, report. Achievements, Challenges and Prospects for sustainable development in Africa. It brought together over 500 The period also recorded, unfortunately, the death of participants drawn from Academia, Industry, Development Professor Primrose Kurasha, Vice Chancellor of the Partner Communities and Governments from 40 countries. Zimbabwe Open University and active member of the Association and its various activities. The death occurred in This Annual Report updates information provided in the February 2017. 2015/2016 Annual Report and highlights the performance of Prof. Etienne Ehouan Ehilé Secretary-GENERAL ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES REPortinG PERIOD 04 ASSOCIATION DES UNIVERSITÉS AFRICAINES ANNUAL REPORT JULY 2016 - JUNE 2017 About the AAU The Association of African Universities (AAU) is the apex AAU represents the voice of Higher Education in Africa organization and forum for consultation, exchange of on Regional and International platforms and supports information and co-operation among institutions of Higher networking by institutions of Higher Education in the areas of Education in Africa. The decision to create the AAU was teaching, research, quality assurance, information exchange taken at a meeting of Heads of African Institutions of Higher and dissemination. Education at the University of Khartoum, Sudan in September 1963. This was followed by a founding conference in Rabat, With a strong representation in all five regions of Africa, AAU, Morocco on 12th November 1967, which was attended by the has over the years made tremendous contributions to Higher Heads or Senior representatives of 34 of the then existing 46 Education Institutions in Africa through its various projects. African Universities. AAU is one of the key higher education Its secretariat is located in Accra, Ghana. implementing bodies of the African Union. VISION To be the leading advocate for higher education in Africa, with the “ capacity to assist our member organizations in meeting national and continental needs. “ MISSION To enhance the quality and relevance of higher education Supporting the core Facilitating and Providing a platform in Africa and strengthen functions of higher fostering collaboration for discussions on its contribution to African education institutions with and between emerging issues development by: (HEIs); African HEIs; CORE ValueS Transparency and Equity and Excellence and Accountability Inclusiveness Professionalism Teamwork and Responsiveness Sustainability Collegiality MEMBERSHIP institutions spread across all regions of Africa are currently registered with 397 the AAU. Our members are in these countries; REPORTING PERIOD ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES ANNUAL ASSOCIATION DES UNIVERSITÉS AFRICAINES 05 JULY 2016 - JUNE 2017 REPORT Intervention Areas Our intervention areas during the reporting period are highlighted here as follows; Strengthening Higher Enhancing Leadership and Promoting Africa’s Centres of Education Institutions Management Capacity in African Excellence HEIs Promoting Science, Technology Delivery Capacity by; Improving ICT Infrastructure and Innovation and Capacity for Knowledge Promoting Staff Exchange and Management Academic Mobility Improving Quality Assurance in African HEIs Promoting Knowledge This intervention area aligns with our objective of facilitating the exchange of information and experiences among members of the academic community, Generation and and promoting best practices. Specifically, our strategically selected projects Management implemented were targeted at; Improving Research Governance Promoting Doctoral Scholarships in African HEIs for Staff Development in African Supporting Policy Relevant HEIs Research Increasing Access to African Facilitating Academic Staff Scholarly Work Mobility Promoting the Socio- This priority area aligns with AAU’s objective of collecting, classifying and Economic Relevance of disseminating information on higher education and research, particularly in Africa. Within the period, we prioritised the African University Strengthening University-Industry Developing the Employable African Linkages Graduate, through projects such as students’ internships Networking, Strategic In line with our objective of facilitating cooperation between our members and the Alliances, and Funding international academic world, the AAU sought to achieve the following; Issues Improve Collaboration among Strengthen Diaspora and Alumni African HEIs and between AAU Relations and African Sub-Regional HE Associations ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES REPORTING PERIOD 06 ASSOCIATION DES UNIVERSITÉS AFRICAINES ANNUAL REPORT JULY 2016 - JUNE 2017 Highlights of 2016/2017 Events 2016 2017 NOV JAN APR JUNE 07-12 06 24-28 05-08 2016 African Official Opening of the AAU Staff Training in 14th General Universities Day New AAU Secretariat Effective Communication Conference and 50 Building and External years Anniversary of Communication the AAU 07-12 NOV 2016 AAU celebrates 2016 African Universities Day using Innovative Ways The 2016 African Universities Day celebrations were held in collaboration with Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST), Ghana Institute of Management & Public Administration, University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA) and Wisconsin International University College. The African Universities Day marks the birth of AAU and the 2016 celebrations were held on the 7th, 9th, 11th and 12th November 2016 (dubbed Innovation Week). The theme was “Entrepreneurial Learning & Communities of Practice”. The 2016 AU Week celebrations were supported by Global Wings Travel and Tours. Nov 07 Nov 09 Nov 11 GIMPA The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School AAU also partnered with GIMPA to The University of Professional of Technology (MEST) hosted MEST/ host an Inter-University Challenge Studies Accra (UPSA) hosted the AAU Talks on the 7th November 2016 that featured 3 student teams on 9th main African University day event on at the MEST Incubation Center in East November 2016 at the GIMPA Campus. Friday 11th Nov 2016 at the UPSA Legon. The talks discussed “How we The three students’ teams came from campus. The event featured a high- can best prepare African youth for UPSA, Wisconsin International University level panel discussion that dwelt on entrepreneurship”. Participants included College and GIMPA. The teams were the theme: “Entrepreneurial Learning industry players, staff and students given a challenge related to African & Communities of Practice”. The from the University of Professional Higher Education to solve and were discussions were interactive and lively. Studies Accra (UPSA), Wisconsin scored based on their problem solving, The event also included the award International University College, Ghana critical thinking and innovativeness by ceremony for the winners of the Inter- Institute of Management & Public distinguished judges. University Challenge. The Wisconsin Administration (GIMPA) and AAU Staff. team were adjudged the overall winners for the interuniversity challenge. On Saturday 12th Nov 2016 AAU hosted a moderated one and half hour twitter discussion on the Nov 12 theme: “Entrepreneurial Learning & Communities of Practice”. ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES REPORTING PERIOD